118 - † MORIKAWA TOEN: TODAJI TEMPLE KOMA-INU

† MORIKAWA TOEN: TODAJI TEMPLE KOMA-INU By Morikawa Toen (1820-1894), signed Morikawa Toen 森川 杜園 saku 作 Japan, Nara, second half of the 19 th century Published: 1. Lazarnick, George (1981) Netsuke & Inro Artists, and How to Read Their Signatures, vol. 2, p. 1096. 2. Hawley, John D (2005) Gyokkin, International Netsuke Society Journal (INSJ), vol. 25, no. 2, p. 20, fig. 18. Of flattened form, finely carved from a choice section of bamboo (metake) as a Buddhist lion seated powerfully upon a waisted double-lotus pedestal, the recessed section neatly incised with foliate scrolls. The model is based on the ancient stone shishi guarding the Great South Gate of Todaiji in Nara. The natural surface of the bamboo has been skillfully polished and stained to evoke the heavily weathered appearance of the more than 1,200-year-old stone guardian. The neatly polished reverse with himotoshi and the inscription: Daibutsu komon komainu, MORIKAWA TOEN saku, Oka Makoto gakei kore o konomu, Waso Ryuki shaku Genryu rikisho [Guardian Lion-Dog of the Ancient Gate of the Great Buddha (Todai-ji Nandaimon), made by Morikawa Toen, to the particular taste of the esteemed Oka Makoto; inscribed in vigorous calligraphy by the Japanese Buddhist monk Genryu, also known as Ryuki]. HEIGHT 15.2 cm Condition: Excellent condition with minor expected wear. Morikawa Toen (1820-1894) was a Nara sculptor and Noh actor, renowned for his Nara ningyo and his study and reproduction of ancient sculpture. The present subject is particularly noteworthy as a rare variation on the celebrated bamboo shishi models by Gyokkin, which reproduce the stone guardian lions at Todaiji. Toen's version follows the same distinctive model closely, while demonstrating his own highly accomplished treatment of bamboo, notably in the convincing simulation of weathered stone. The close relationship between the works of Toen and Gyokkin has been discussed by John D. Hawley. Literature comparison: Compare two closely related bamboo netsuke of the same subject, by Gyokkin, illustrated in Bushell, Raymond (1975) Netsuke Familiar & Unfamiliar, nos. 573 & 580. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related bamboo sashi netsuke of a guardian lion by the same artist, signed Morikawa Toen, 10.4 cm high, at Zacke, Fine Netsuke & Sagemono, 4 November 2022, Vienna, lot 125 (sold for EUR 4,160). 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.